People Living in Poverty

Financial Resources

People Living in Poverty

What does this measure?

People with incomes below the poverty line, as a percentage of those for whom poverty status has been determined. Poverty thresholds vary by family composition and year. In 2016, the threshold for a four-person family with two children was $24,339.

Why is this important?

The percentage of people living in poverty is a measure of the overall economic health of a region. It also indicates the level of need for social and government supports within the community.

How is our region performing?

The poverty rate in 2012-16 was 14% in the region, slightly lower than both the statewide and national rate of 15%. For the region, this was a 3-point increase from 2000 to 2007-11 and another 1-point increase from 2007-11 to 2012-16, totaling a 4-point increase from 2000 to 2012-16. This is a greater increase than the state (which had no change), and the nation (3 points) from 2000 to 2012-16. The 66,200 Rochester residents living in poverty accounted for 61% of the poverty in Monroe County and 41% of the total for the region; this share has declined since 2000, indicating a growth in poverty for the suburban region surrounding the City of Rochester.

From 2000 through 2012-16, the poverty rate in Rochester increased by 7 points to 33%, greater than the increase in any of the individual counties in the region. Among those counties, the poverty rates were highest in 2012-16 in Orleans (16%), followed very closely by Monroe and Livingston (both at 15%), while the rate was lowest in Ontario (10%).

Notes about the data

The multi-year figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined five years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Poverty status is not reported for people in institutions, including college dormitories and military barracks, and people in living situations without conventional housing. Data for this indicator are expected to be released in the fourth quarter.

Topic Indicators

Featured Indicator

The number of meals served by any organization that receives food from a food bank, presented as a rate per resident. This includes a range of organizations from food pantries to emergency shelters to soup kitchens.